24 September 2025
Clifton College made an emphatic statement in the opening game of their own Clifton Water Polo Tournament on Wednesday, delivering a performance that underlined both their pedigree and their ambition.
The hosts swept aside Maritzburg College with a commanding 21-4 victory at the Clifton Aquatic Centre, warming up the home supporters on a cold and rainy day with a display full of energy, precision, and ruthless finishing.
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In the build-up to the tournament, Clifton’s coach Pierre le Roux spoke of his belief in the ability and maturity of his young side. Against College, they showcased exactly why he felt that way.
From the outset, Clifton imposed themselves, setting the tone for the tournament with sharp interplay, quick transitions, and a defensive effort that suffocated the visitors. It was a statement win, and one that reinforced the message that any team with designs on the title will have to reckon with the Durban powerhouse.
In the day’s other Pool A game, Reddam House Constantia and Selborne College served up a thriller. Reddam stormed into an early 5-1 lead, but Selborne’s grit and composure slowly turned the tide. Trailing 6-9, the East London outfit produced a stirring late surge to snatch a memorable 10-9 win.
Pool B opened with a see-saw contest between Kearsney College and Northwood. The Knights led 2-1 after a cagey first quarter before the tempo picked up dramatically.
Kearsney battled back from 4-5 down at halftime to lead 9-7, only for Northwood to claw their way level. In a breathless finish, goalkeeper Rourke Stacey pulled off a superb stop to keep Kearsney in the hunt before Thomas Francke edged them ahead. Northwood responded again, but with seconds remaining, Thomas Aylward rifled home the winner to hand Kearsney a heart-stopping 12-11 victory.
In the pool’s other clash, Paul Roos Gimnasium was too strong for Grey College, easing to a 17-5 victory.
Pool C’s curtain-raiser featured Durban High School (DHS) against Westville Boys’ High. After Westville had broken clear of a 4-4 tie to go 9-5 up, DHS fought their way back into contention only to come up just short, with Westville securing a 9-8 victory.
St John’s College, last year’s silver medallists, also survived a stern test, edging past Affies 6-5.
Pool D opened with an always-enticing clash between Hilton College and Michaelhouse, with Hilton flexing their muscles in a 14-8 victory. ‘House goalkeeper Elliot Springate, fresh from KZN Schools’ u19 selection, did his best to keep his side in the game, but Hilton’s all-round strength proved decisive.
The defending champions, SACS, closed out the day with an emphatic 12-6 triumph over King Edward VII (KES). The Cape Town school, chasing a hat-trick of titles, was clinical in dispatching the Johannesburg side, serving notice that they will again be serious title contenders.
Thursday’s action promises even more drama, with double the number of fixtures, 16, which when they are completed will reveal the final group placings.
Hilton will look to confirm their quarterfinal place against KES when they get the action underway at 07:00. Much later, at 19:30, the day concludes with Reddam House Constantia taking on Maritzburg College.
RESULTS
Pool A
Clifton College 21-4 Maritzburg College
Selborne College 10-9 Reddam House Constantia
Pool B
Kearsney College 12-11 Northwood School
Paul Roos Gimnasium 17-5 Grey College
Pool C
Durban High School 8-9 Westville Boys’ High
St John’s College 6-5 Affies
Pool D
Hilton College 14-8 Michaelhouse
SACS 12-6 KES
FIXTURES
Thursday, 26 September
Game 9 – 07:00 – Pool D – Hilton vs KES
Game 10 – 07:50 – Pool C – St John’s vs DHS
Game 11 – 08:40 – Pool B – Kearsney vs Grey College
Game 12 – 09:30 – Pool A – Clifton vs Reddam Constantia
Game 13 – 10:20 – Pool D – Michaelhouse vs SACS
Game 14 – 11:10 – Pool C – Westville vs Affies
Game 15 – 12:00 – Pool B – Paul Roos vs Northwood
Game 16 – 12:50 – Pool A – Selborne vs Maritzburg College
Game 17 – 13:40 – Pool D – Hilton vs SACS
Game 18 – 14:30 – Pool C – St John’s vs Westville
Game 19 – 15:20 – Pool B – Kearsney vs Paul Roos
Game 20 – 16:10 – Pool A – Clifton vs Selborne
Game 21 – 17:00 – Pool D – KES vs Michaelhouse
Game 22 – 17:50 – Pool C – Affies vs DHS
Game 23 – 18:40 – Pool B – Grey College vs Northwood
Game 24 – 19:30 – Pool A – Reddam Constantia vs Maritzburg College
Friday, 26 September
Game 25 – 08:00 – 2nd Pool A vs 3rd Pool C
Game 26 – 09:00 – 2nd Pool B vs 3rd Pool D
Game 27 – 10:00 – 3rd Pool A vs 2nd Pool C
Game 28 – 11:00 – 3rd Pool B vs 2nd Pool D
Game 29 – 13:00 – Loser 25 vs 4th Pool D
Game 30 – 14:00 – Loser 26 – 4th Pool A
Game 31 – 15:00 – Loser 27 – 4th Pool B
Game 32 – 16:00 – Loser 28 – 4th Pool C
18:00 – Parents Social Evening
Saturday, 27 September
Game 33 – 07:00 – QF1 – 1st Pool D vs Winner 27
Game 34 – 08:00 – QF2 – 1st Pool C vs Winner 28
Game 35 – 09:00 – QF3 – 1st Pool B vs Winner 25
Game 36 – 10:00 – QF4 – 1st Pool A vs Winner 26
Game 37 – 11:00 – Winner 29 vs Winner 30
Game 38 – 12:00 – Winner 31 vs Winner 32
Game 39 – 13:00 – Loser 29 vs Loser 30
Game 40 – 14:00 – Loser 31 vs Loser 32
Game 41 – 15:00 – Plate SF 1 – Loser 33 vs Loser 35
Game 42 – 16:00 – Plate SF 2 – Loser 34 vs Loser 36
South Africa vs Argentina – Viewing on five big screen TVs
Game 43 – 19:30 – SF 1 – Winner 33 vs Winner 35
Game 44 – 20:30 – SF 2 – Winner 34 vs Winner 36
Sunday, 28 September
Game 45 – 07:00 – 15/16 – Loser 40 vs Loser 39
Game 46 – 07:50 – 13/14 – Winner 40 vs Winner 39
Game 47 – 08:40 – 11/12 – Loser 37 vs Loser 38
Game 48 – 09:30 – 9/10 – Winner 37 vs Winner 38
Game 49 – 10:20 – 7/8 – Loser 41 vs Loser 42
Game 50 – 11:10 – 5/6 – Winner 41 vs Winner 42
Game 51 – 12:00 – 3/4 – Loser 44 vs Loser 43
Game 52 – 13:00 – 1/2 – Winner 44 vs Winner 43
14:00 – Prize Giving
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